lifeforce Posted July 28, 2019 TRAP Age is covered with cosmetics, Gray hidden with dye, Confidence is sought in men, Awareness deferred for the future. She toils on her job, Enduring tension and fatigue, Subsisting on tranquilizers, Pinning futile hopes on her children. Many people allow themselves to be trapped into a miserable life. When we see this, we might think "How tragic," but in actuality, they did it to themselves. We should all know how our lives are going, for we need only track the decisions that confront us every day. There are people who think that it does not matter what they do. Or they shrug that they are victims of circumstance. That does not justify an unhappy life. Illness, stress, divorce, maladjusted children, and fear of death trap us. Those who follow Tao do not want to end up in this way. They want to be free. They do not want to be victims. Therefore, although it is a difficult path, they constantly seek to expand the parameters of their lives. They do not suffer to be exploited or enslaved, and they will eschew what is considered "normal" in order to be happy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lifeforce Posted July 28, 2019 The bolded part sums me up. I consider myself a bit of an outcast, and I'm probably thought about like that by others. I don't hang with the crowd. I avoid social gatherings with work colleagues. Observations of the behaviour of such colleagues has shown me that they are all two-faced backstabbers, who'll do anything to try and make progress on the promotional ladder. Lying and talking in small cliques about each other, it really is disgraceful to see. Then they want to be your 'friend' at Christmas, birthdays and the like. I say no thanks to that, I may have my faults but I have my integrity. I also don't watch TV. The mindless chatter surrounding soap operas, reality shows, talent(less) shows and the horrendous herd-mentality that is modern sports, is a complete waste of time. I don't partake in social media. I don't have a smartphone. All of these things, in this modern world, mean that I'm looked upon as strange, weird, difficult. At 50 years old, I'm past caring what people think of me. I have my practices, my walks in the countryside with my wife and our pack of dogs, my books, my occasional pub lunch. The freedom I enjoy is priceless. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted July 28, 2019 16 minutes ago, lifeforce said: They do not suffer to be exploited or enslaved, and they will eschew what is considered "normal" in order to be happy. Hi lifeforce, Everyday is a new "normal"? - Anand 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted July 28, 2019 (edited) On 7/28/2019 at 11:59 PM, lifeforce said: I consider myself a bit of an outcast, and I'm probably thought about like that by others. Hi lifeforce, Like ABnormal? But you appear to me as... - Anand Edited July 29, 2019 by Limahong Enhance ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lifeforce Posted July 28, 2019 32 minutes ago, lifeforce said: and they will eschew what is considered "normal" in order to be happy. Nonconformist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rideforever Posted July 28, 2019 19 minutes ago, lifeforce said: my occasional pub lunch And which pub is that, and what is for lunch ? What kind of work do you do and what kind of company can cope with a non-conformist ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lifeforce Posted July 28, 2019 3 minutes ago, rideforever said: And which pub is that, and what is for lunch ? What kind of work do you do and what kind of company can cope with a non-conformist ? Oh, there are plenty of excellent country pubs in my locality. Meat-based lunches are my favourite. Yum ! I'm a primary school caretaker. I try to keep my social interactions to a minimum. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted July 28, 2019 (edited) 22 minutes ago, rideforever said: what is for lunch ? Your pick... ... on the house. Edited July 28, 2019 by Limahong Enhance ... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted July 28, 2019 6 minutes ago, lifeforce said: I try to keep my social interactions to a minimum. Hi lifeforce, You are fitting well at TDB... we had crossed paths before... keep it up. - Anand 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lifeforce Posted July 28, 2019 1 minute ago, Limahong said: Hi lifeforce, You are fitting well at TDB... we had crossed paths before... keep it up. - Anand Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted July 28, 2019 2 minutes ago, lifeforce said: Thank you. Welcome. Good night. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted July 28, 2019 1 hour ago, lifeforce said: TRAP Age is covered with cosmetics,Gray hidden with dye,Confidence is sought in men,Awareness deferred for the future.She toils on her job,Enduring tension and fatigue,Subsisting on tranquilizers,Pinning futile hopes on her children. Sadly beautiful... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rideforever Posted July 28, 2019 2 hours ago, lifeforce said: Therefore, although it is a difficult path, they constantly seek to expand the parameters of their lives What does it mean ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lifeforce Posted July 28, 2019 2 minutes ago, rideforever said: What does it mean ? Trying to be with the natural rhythms of life, while the rest of society follows the herd. The path of the Dao is lonely and sometimes difficult, but also very rewarding for those willing to see it through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted July 28, 2019 7 hours ago, lifeforce said: TRAP - 365 Tao Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted July 29, 2019 On 7/29/2019 at 1:59 AM, lifeforce said: Trying to be with the natural rhythms of life... Hi lifeforce, Nothing is more rhythmically natural like these in Nature... ... and others. - Anand 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
